Kendrick Meek: “I think because of the budgetary gymnastics that the majority party has instigated here, our chairman and the leadership…”

“I think because of the budgetary gymnastics that the majority party has instigated here, our chairman and the leadership of this House, they have had trouble adjusting to this. They have done a good job apparently for veterans and, particularly, for medical care for veterans. They have done some other good jobs, but I am concerned that of all the people, the needy people in this country, this particular bill does not address the empowerment zones. It is not funded at all. This is the second year that this has happened. I want to know what is going on here where for each year we cannot fund the empowerment zone, which is supposed to be the one thing that is going to help us in these distressed communities. We did not fund, as we should have either, some of the other programs that are important in city communities. Now, someone has to take notice of this. In this year of surpluses, we look back and we fail to try to empower people that are trying their very best to use the resources that are given to them both by government and the private sector.”